In vitro adherence of erythrocytes infected with Babesia bigemina and Babesia rodhaini to thrombospondin.
The adherence of erythrocytes infected with Babesia bigemina and Babesia rodhaini to thrombospondin (TSP) in vitro is demonstrated. Blood with a range of parasitaemias was used and counts of cells which bound to TSP on plastic were significantly different from the controls with both Babesia species. These studies indicated that TSP receptors are present on the surface of red blood cells infected with the two Babesia species, although these parasites do not alter the membranes of infected erythrocytes obviously and do not cause cerebral symptoms in their hosts. Erythrocytes infected with either B. bigemina or B. rodhaini do not adhere to other erythrocytes in vivo, probably because these parasites induce mild infections in their hosts, but they can adhere to TSP in vitro.
Parrodi
F
F
CSIRO, Division of Tropical Animal Production, Queensland, Australia.
Wright
I G
IG
Kerr
J D
JD
Dobson
C
C
D000818:Animals; D001403:Babesia / Q000502:physiology*; D002417:Cattle; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology*; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D019699:Thrombospondins
D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; D019699:Thrombospondins